Even Ghosts Wither || Hu Tao x Reader 🥀

Wrapped in Bandaged Care

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As soon as Hu Tao challenged you to show her what you got, her Staff of Homa burst into flames as the vision of a fire butterfly suddenly appeared and disappeared at the same speed. You could see her wince slightly once the polearm lit on fire. That's right, her hand must be burning right now too. And with a source of fire so close to your body..You glance down at her hand before back up at her. She's good at hiding her pain. So this must be what her skill does, huh?

Hu Tao | "You get the hilichurls, I'll target the Abyss Mage!"

The sound of Hu Tao's voice made you snap out of your thoughts. You nodded slightly, summoning your weapon and griping it firmly with your hand. You watched as Hu Tao ran towards the Abyss Mage. Her speed and agility was impressive, probably something you wouldn't expect from someone like her. Enough daydreaming, though! You have to hold up your part of the fight too. Besides, you wouldn't let Hu Tao outperform you!

Once she took off towards the Abyss Mage, you were quick to follow her. You bolted straight for the group of hilichurls, making sure they wouldn't try to fight with Hu as she took care of the Abyss Mage. One of the hilichurls tried shooting an arrow at you, to which you quickly jumped over and landed on the hilichurl shooting the arrow, knocking the crossbow out of its hand. You were about to finish it off before you noticed the other hilichurls about to attack. Quickly turning around, you slashed them with your weapon which made them stumble back. You jumped off of the hilichurl you had your foot on, smiling a little as you watched the group get up and start to run at you.

(Y/N) | "More resistant than I expected. Come at me then!"

You dodged the attacks from the hilichurls as they all came at you from different directions. You jumped up into the air before plummeting down, then finished the group off with your elemental burst (ultimate). You watched as their bodies fell to the ground and faded away before looking around for Hu Tao to see if she needed help. To your surprise, she was watching the fight, clapping a little after you finished the group.

Hu Tao | "Ai-ya-ya, well done well done!" She said with a smile, walking toward you.

(Y/N) | You can feel your spirits lift a little from her praise. "Thanks. Did you already take care of the Abyss Mage?"

Hu Tao | "Mhm! Poor thing didn't stand a chance, hehe!"

(Y/N) | She's fast. You think to yourself before looking over to where Wangshu Inn was. It was clear in view, and wouldn't be too long before both of you arrived. "Its not too far from here. Let's keep moving."

Hu Tao tipped her hat in agreement, and you both set off once again. Your journey this time was silent, and you were thinking a lot to yourself. She finished off an Abyss Mage before you took out the group of hilichurls. Just how strong was she? Granted, you could've finished the hilichurls off faster yourself but still, it was quite admirable. Almost to the point where you kinda wished you could've seen her fight. It wasn't long before you arrived at Wangshu Inn, going up the elevator and walking over to the owner, Verr Goldet, to book a room.

Hu Tao | "Here we are! Room for one, please!" Hu chirped, smiling towards Verr Goldet.

(Y/N) | One? You turn towards Hu Tao after she spoke. "Hu Tao, you should stay tonight too. It's too late to return to Wuwang Hill."

Hu Tao | "Aiya, don't worry about me! I'll make it there without a scratch."

(Y/N) | You had a mix of worry and doubtfulness shimmer in your eyes. You gently grabbed one of Hu's hands and flipped it over so her palm was facing up. It was swollen and a little bloody from having to hold a flaming polearm. "Hu..you should be more careful. Please, stay here for the night. We can get your hands patched up too!" Your tone was full of determination.

Hu Tao | Hu Tao was caught off guard when you grabbed her hand, then flipped it over to show off her injuries. She blushed a little out of embarrassment, before looking down, feeling ashamed. "I- Okay." She looked up at Verr. "Room for two, if you don't mind."

Verr Goldet | Verr nodded. "Of course. Your room is right up there and to the left. We can get bandages and ice packs to help with your injuries, as well." Verr pointed up the stairs before grabbing the room keys and handing them to you.

(Y/N) | Your face lit up when Hu said she would stay, gently letting go of her hands and taking the key from Verr. "Great, thank you so much!" You led Hu Tao up to the room, opening the door for her then following her in. It was a pretty basic room. Two beds, a large bookshelf full of scrolls and book, a soft carpet underneath the beds, and so on. You set the room keys down on a small desk before looking over at Hu Tao. "You stay here, I'll get the things to fix up your hand."

Hu Tao | She nodded and watched as you left the room. Once you closed the door behind you, she looked around the room and for a bit before sitting down on one of the beds. Not long after, you come back in with the things to help her and start healing her hands. "Thank you, by the way."

(Y/N) | You press the ice pack up against her hot and swollen hands, looking up at her when she thanked you. Come to think of it, this was the first time you haven't seen her completely bubbly or cheerful. She was more relaxed. You paused for a moment before smiling brightly. "Of course. Thank you for helping me get to the Inn. I would've been lost 10 times over if it weren't for your help!"

Hu Tao | She giggled a little before nodding, staying silent for the rest of the treatment.

(Y/N) | You finish wrapping her hands up in the bandages, taking a step back once you were done. "Tada! There you go, all better."

Hu Tao | She looked down at her bandaged hands and smiled. "Hehe, looks great!"

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